Xiangjun Xu

I intended to make virtual avatars of myself so that they can be used as an extension to a previous self-directed project.
Because of my search for my own identity, I chose the memory of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales that I remember most from my childhood. For this project I chose five of my most memorable stories to be the subject of my virtual avatar; The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, The Little Match-Seller, The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea.
The crystal memories is an exploration of my childhood memories and the enchanting world of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, brought to life through a virtual avatar. This immersive experience takes the viewer on a nostalgic journey to re-imagine the nature and magic of these timeless tales.
Through the use of cg animation techniques, the project creates an avatar that represents my childhood self. This avatar acts as a guide and narrator, leading the viewer through a series of interactive and visually stunning environments inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales.
Each environment has been carefully designed to evoke the essence of a particular fairy tale, capturing its unique atmosphere, characters and themes. Whether it is the ethereal underwater world of The Little Mermaid or the mysterious forest of The Matchbox, audiences are transported into these dreamlike worlds.
The project aims to evoke a sense of curiosity, nostalgia and a renewed awareness of the power of storytelling. Seen through the lens of my own childhood memories, “The crystal memories” is not only an art project but also a personal journey of self-discovery where the avatar becomes a vessel for my past and a conduit for the viewer to explore their own connection to these beloved stories.

“Creatures in weirdcore” fuses augmented reality technology with the mysterious genre of monsters, inviting the viewer to embark on an extraordinary journey to witness the manifestation of predicted monsters in an interactive and immersive experience. The project uses augmented reality to bring to life the imagination of strange and fantastical creatures said to inhabit the depths of the monstrous mythos. The virtual world blends seamlessly with the physical space, allowing participants to encounter these otherworldly creatures in their own environment.

The visual aesthetic of the predicted monsters is an eerie, abstract and surreal blend. Drawing inspiration from the bizarre and unconventional, each creature embodies a unique combination of unearthly features, vivid colours and peculiar forms. From tentacled entities to shape-shifting phantoms, each monster possesses its own unique attributes and mysterious presence. Viewers can use their smartphones or other compatible devices to participate in the augmented reality experience. By activating a dedicated app, they can unlock a portal to the realm where the monster is predicted to exist. As they explore their surroundings through the device’s camera, these monsters appear, seamlessly integrated with the real-world environment. Users can view these monsters from different angles, observe their intricate details and even interact with them through touch or voice commands.

The project aims to evoke a sense of curiosity and wonder, and perhaps a hint of unease. By blurring the line between reality and fantasy, it challenges conventional notions of art and perception. Participants are encouraged to think about the deeper meanings behind these monsters and to reflect on the relationship between imagination, myth and the human psyche.

“Creatures in weirdcore” hopes to create an unforgettable experience that blends artistic expression, technological innovation and the allure of the unknown. Through augmented reality footage, the viewer is transported into a world where the bizarre and the ordinary coexist, offering glimpses into the realm of prophesied monsters within a rich tapestry of bizarre folklore.